AMD Announces the Resignation of Dave Orton, former CEO of ATI

**MIG-31** · Jul 10, 2007, 10:55 AM

Source: Yahoo
Thanks to Blacklash for the submission.
_______________
AMD announced today that Dave Orton, former president and chief executive officer of ATI Technologies, has resigned as executive vice president of AMD, effective the end of July, 2007.

"Dave's passion and relentless drive catapulted ATI into a solid leadership position in each of the company's graphics, chipset and consumer electronics businesses," said Dirk Meyer, AMD president and chief operating officer. "More recently, Dave was one of the key drivers in the successful integration of AMD and ATI. With his integration work complete and the successful launch of key graphics and chipset products earlier this year, the time was right for Dave to take his personal and professional life in a different direction."

***Zardon*** · Jul 10, 2007, 12:26 PM

Dave is a really nice man, ive met him a few times and talked to him in private about various things. This is a huge loss for AMD in my opinion.

Troubled times right now.

Judas · Jul 10, 2007, 12:33 PM

why is the hair on the back of my neck, standing on end?

bug77 · Jul 10, 2007, 12:59 PM

I would think this has othing to do with the smashing success of the 2000 series.
Somebody better wake these guys up. I mean, I could have told them half a year ago the 2600 series will suck (and they knew it too, I know), but they released it anyway. Hello?

Lelisevis · Jul 10, 2007, 01:24 PM

Lets not turn this into a bashing AMD/ATI thread. Their comes a time in everyones life when you know it's time to move onto pastures new. Here's wishing Mr Orton all the best in his new endeavour whatever it may be.

**Vikingod** · Jul 10, 2007, 01:50 PM

Not a big surprise. Its pretty common for a company to replace their CEO when things look bad. Its a way to get some fresh ideas and it effects the culture of the company. Also, the Board tends to see it as a last resort sort of measure. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out. Things don't look good, thats for sure.

Either way, Dave will have a nice parachute and maybe a vacation until the next big thing.

MrSpock2002 · Jul 10, 2007, 02:51 PM

Die AMD.

bug77 · Jul 10, 2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lelisevis

Lets not turn this into a bashing AMD/ATI thread. Their comes a time in everyones life when you know it's time to move onto pastures new. Here's wishing Mr Orton all the best in his new endeavour whatever it may be.

I didn't mean to bash at ATI. Just mad because they cost me an upgrade this year and hoping this is the kick in the they needed. And just to be fair, I remeber this is the guy that brought us the 8500 and 9000 line, so yes, I know he used to do a good job. And during his time ATI started producing top-notch drivers too (of course they did CCC afterwards).

mkk · Jul 10, 2007, 07:31 PM

When a company merger has been carried through it's only normal for one of two CEO's to step down. Putting a former CEO in a position below another for long goes against general corporate culture.

Blacklash · Jul 12, 2007, 06:34 AM

I hope the R650 comes out around August and does well.

I'd agree what happened is not unusual under the circumstance of a merger. It did alarm me and make me a tad sad when I first read it. Then I thought about it.

Some of my favorite cards have been ATi cards; 9800Pro, X800XL, and of course my X1900XT. If Crossfire software support had been a little tighter I might have remained on X1900 XT Crossfire instead of getting the GTX.